‘Yellowjackets’ star Christina Ricci recently shared a hilarious parenting moment that highlights just how surreal it can be to grow up with a famous mom — especially one known for iconic roles in cult-classic films.
During her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, February 5, the 44-year-old actress opened up about how her children, 10-year-old Freddie and 3-year-old Cleopatra, process her fame — and the funny confusion it sometimes causes.
“When [Freddie] was young, he would say to me, ‘Why are people always hugging you?’” Ricci recalled with a laugh. She explained to Fallon that because she starred in movies like Casper and The Addams Family — nostalgic favorites for many — fans often approach her with affection.
“I Told My Teachers About Your Ghosts…”
To help him understand, Ricci decided to show Freddie Casper when he was still quite young — a decision she now admits may have backfired a bit.
“Casper is totally safe for children,” she clarified. “But developmentally, it was too soon!” Ricci then shared a moment that had Fallon and the audience in stitches.
“I was driving him to preschool one day and he was like, ‘Oh, mom, I told my teachers about your childhood… that you lived in your house with your dad and all those ghosts,’” she said.
The actress added that the sweet mix-up made her rethink how she introduces her younger daughter Cleopatra to her work. “We’re going to wait a little bit for Cleo,” she said, smiling.
Christina… or Mommy?
Speaking of Cleopatra, Ricci joked earlier in the interview that her daughter is “like a little feral creature,” and revealed another quirky parenting tidbit — Cleo doesn’t always call her “mom.”
“She calls me ‘Christina,’” Ricci said. “It’s a mix of ‘mommy’ and ‘Christina.’ She’ll say, ‘Ice and water, Christina, please!’ And when I bring it, she says, ‘Thank you, Christina!’”
Ricci’s stories not only offered a humorous peek into her life as a mom but also reminded fans just how iconic her early roles remain — especially to generations who still feel that nostalgic tug when spotting Wednesday Addams or Kat Harvey’s ghostly adventures.
